Purdue University-Main Campus
Two ratings: the overall grade compares colleges the conventional way (outcomes, cost, resources, experience, reputation). The Outcome Rating asks what students earn: 60% wage-adjusted earnings 10 years after enrolling, 25% graduation, 15% retention. Methodology
Quick Stats
Earnings, Debt & Completion
What happens to students who enroll at Purdue University-Main Campus, from the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
Typical debt at graduation equals about 27% of one year’s median earnings ten years after entry.
Earnings rank: 92nd percentile among bachelor’s-degree-focused colleges after a partial adjustment for local wage levels (IN wage index 0.87). This drives the Outcome Rating.
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, retrieved Oct 2026. Earnings are for federally aided students who enrolled, whether or not they graduated.
Earnings by Major at Purdue University-Main Campus
Median pay of bachelor's degree graduates by field of study, and how each program ranks against every college reporting that major — by raw pay and adjusted for state wage levels. Same school, very different paychecks.
| Major | 1 yr after | 4 yrs after | vs. national | Rank (pay) | Rank (wage-adj.) | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Science | $94,786 | $146,685 | +37% | #35 of 349 | #24 | $19,136 |
| Computer Engineering | $89,965 | $121,462 | +11% | #36 of 189 | #23 | $22,875 |
| Materials Engineering | $78,265 | $107,557 | +18% | #1 of 34 | #1 | $22,111 |
| Industrial Engineering | $81,379 | $107,031 | +9% | #17 of 94 | #10 | $18,357 |
| Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering | $84,300 | $105,396 | +5% | #57 of 258 | #29 | $17,750 |
| Chemical Engineering | $81,105 | $104,514 | +6% | #28 of 158 | #24 | $21,500 |
| Statistics | $72,579 | $104,047 | +13% | #13 of 50 | #9 | $19,250 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $80,374 | $102,572 | +11% | #26 of 318 | #14 | $19,500 |
| Construction Engineering | $76,966 | $101,108 | +4% | #7 of 13 | #2 | $20,625 |
| Computer and Information Sciences | $72,132 | $99,896 | +8% | #120 of 459 | #85 | $19,500 |
| Architectural Engineering Technologies/Technicians | $75,913 | $97,594 | +19% | #1 of 9 | #1 | $16,750 |
| Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering | $71,989 | $97,332 | -1% | #24 of 59 | #16 | $21,500 |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods | $70,903 | $93,976 | +9% | #43 of 126 | #29 | $18,578 |
| Biomedical/Medical Engineering | $72,749 | $93,434 | +-0% | #63 of 118 | #31 | $19,500 |
| Civil Engineering | $74,369 | $90,873 | +5% | #49 of 233 | #12 | $19,500 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $63,021 | $90,119 | +18% | #115 of 796 | #63 | $19,500 |
| Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians | $68,582 | $88,474 | +9% | #11 of 51 | #9 | $19,813 |
| Engineering-Related Fields | $72,252 | $87,914 | -2% | #21 of 33 | #15 | $16,153 |
| Engineering | $74,668 | $87,331 | -7% | #16 of 19 | #11 | $19,787 |
| Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians | $67,093 | $86,891 | +6% | #15 of 61 | #7 | $19,500 |
| Agricultural Engineering | $72,168 | $86,306 | +2% | #11 of 26 | #7 | $20,000 |
| Air Transportation | $45,190 | $86,161 | +0% | #22 of 52 | #21 | $19,500 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $59,938 | $85,924 | +3% | #134 of 452 | #93 | $21,500 |
| Electrical/Electronic Engineering Technologies/Technicians | $74,981 | $85,224 | +1% | #21 of 46 | #16 | $23,239 |
| Marketing | $56,668 | $84,725 | +22% | #51 of 516 | #22 | $18,274 |
| Economics | $59,187 | $83,195 | +1% | #154 of 368 | #102 | $23,099 |
| Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences | $47,570 | $82,581 | +21% | #13 of 61 | #8 | $21,970 |
| General Sales, Merchandising and Related Marketing Operations | $62,580 | $82,441 | +9% | #7 of 27 | #6 | $19,451 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $57,106 | $81,040 | +19% | #128 of 1176 | #74 | $19,500 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $71,759 | $80,403 | -10% | #701 of 966 | #543 | $19,500 |
| Environmental/Environmental Health Engineering | $71,861 | $78,770 | -3% | #31 of 46 | #16 | $16,316 |
| Food Science and Technology | — | $75,060 | +6% | #10 of 29 | #4 | — |
| Agricultural Mechanization | $58,806 | $73,393 | +3% | #6 of 10 | #4 | $19,727 |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | $26,687 | $72,724 | +33% | #24 of 610 | #10 | $20,500 |
| Agricultural Production Operations | $56,835 | $71,868 | +34% | #2 of 14 | #3 | $13,250 |
| Political Science and Government | $39,708 | $71,601 | +13% | #109 of 565 | #57 | $19,500 |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | $38,989 | $69,768 | +27% | #18 of 265 | #5 | $19,500 |
| Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences Business Services | $40,999 | $69,246 | +7% | #3 of 8 | #3 | $19,500 |
| Chemistry | $47,213 | $67,680 | +4% | #95 of 209 | #42 | $19,500 |
| Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology | $41,625 | $67,639 | +3% | #45 of 110 | #21 | $17,713 |
| Physics | $30,203 | $67,505 | -12% | #93 of 107 | #67 | $21,224 |
| Landscape Architecture | — | $67,113 | +1% | #9 of 19 | #9 | — |
| Public Health | $45,274 | $66,892 | +14% | #36 of 215 | #24 | $21,000 |
| Agricultural Business and Management | $52,804 | $65,900 | -1% | #35 of 77 | #32 | $15,753 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $41,409 | $65,517 | +16% | #85 of 660 | #34 | $17,375 |
| Engineering/Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians | $50,059 | $63,954 | -22% | #13 of 15 | #12 | $19,057 |
| Nuclear Engineering | $63,226 | — | — | — | — | $20,250 |
| Computer Software and Media Applications | $38,234 | $59,766 | +1% | #29 of 54 | #22 | $20,101 |
| Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Services | $52,631 | $59,649 | +7% | #19 of 70 | #7 | $20,254 |
| Communication Disorders Sciences and Services | $24,949 | $59,050 | +0% | #108 of 215 | #73 | $19,500 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study data. Earnings are for graduates who received federal aid and were working; small programs are not reported.
The Purdue University-Main Campus Town Property Report
- Top nearby ZIP by cap rate: 47909 (4.5% cap, Lafayette)
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🏆 Where Purdue University-Main Campus Ranks
Rankings based on Repit College Grade among schools offering each program.
Costs & Financial Aid
Tuition & Fees
| Category | In-State | Out-of-State |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition | $9,718 | $28,520 |
| Room | $6,480 | |
| Board | $5,398 | |
| Total Cost (On-Campus) | $24,882 | $43,684 |
Financial Aid
Net Price by Family Income
| Family Income | Average Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $4,927 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $5,925 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $8,948 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $18,919 |
| $110,001+ | $21,130 |
Programs & Career Paths
Top Degree Programs
Programs ranked by number of degrees awarded annually.
Related Career Paths
Careers that graduates from Purdue University-Main Campus's top programs commonly pursue.
Student Demographics
👥 Race & Ethnicity
🏠 Living Arrangements
💻 Learning Mode
📊 Age Distribution
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the acceptance rate at Purdue University-Main Campus?
How much does it cost to attend Purdue University-Main Campus?
What is the graduation rate at Purdue University-Main Campus?
Is Purdue University-Main Campus a good school?
- Outcomes (A): Graduation and retention rates
- Affordability (C+): Net cost and financial aid access
- Resources (B): Class sizes and selectivity
- Experience (A): Campus life and learning format
- Prestige (B+): Reputation and recognition
How many students attend Purdue University-Main Campus?
Is there rental demand near Purdue University-Main Campus?
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Data source: IPEDS 2023-24 | Last updated: October 2026 | Methodology